Every old pioneer has a store of memories of adventures and narrow escapes, hardships bravely endured, fresh pleasures enjoyed, rude but genial merrymakings, of all the fascinating incidents that made up the wonder-life of long ago.

Chronology is only a row of hooks to hang the garments of the past upon, else they may fall together in a confused heap.

Not having a full line of such supports on which to hang the weaving of my thoughts—I simply overturn my Indian basket of chips picked up after “Blazing the Way,” they being merely bits of beginnings in the Northwest.

E. I. DENNY.

Note—The poem referred to on page 144 will appear in another work.—Author.

INDEX

PART I—THE GREAT MARCH
CHAPTERpage
I.Crossing the Plains[17]
II.Down the Columbia in ’51[34]
III.The Settlement at Alki[41]
IV.Founding of Seattle and Indian War[63]
V.The Murder of McCormick[96]
VI.Killing Cougars[105]
VII.Pioneer Child Life[113]
VIII.Marching Experiences of Esther Chambers[151]
IX.An Olympia Woman’s Trip Across the Plains in 1851[168]
X.Captain Henry Roeder on the Trail[177]
PART II—MEN, WOMEN AND ADVENTURES
I.Song of the Pioneers[182]
II.Biographical Notes and Sketches,John Denny, Sarah Latimer Denny[186]
III.David Thomas Denny[203]
IV.The First Wedding on Elliot Bay[257]
V.Louisa Boren Denny[ 272]
Va. Madge Decatur Denny[288]
Vb. Anna Louisa Denny[294]
Vc. William Richard Boren[300]
VI.Arthur A. Denny, Mary A. Denny[305]
VII.Henry Van Asselt of Duwamish[320]
VIII.Thomas Mercer[329]
IX.Dr. Henry A. Smith, the BrilliantWriter[344]
X.Famous Indian Chiefs[358]
PART III—INDIAN LIFE AND SETTLERS’ BEGINNINGS
I.Savage Deeds of Savage Men[391]
II.Pioneer Jokes and Anecdotes[415]
III.Trails of Commerce[436]
IV.Building of the Territorial University[452]
V.A Chehalis Letter, Penned in ’52[467]
VI.Some Pioneers of Port Townsend[479]
VII.Personnel of the Pioneer Army[489]